Jackson 5 Songs Ranked
The Jackson 5 (stylized as the Jackson 5ive), later known as the Jacksons, is an American pop band composed of members of the Jackson family. The group was founded in 1965 in Gary, Indiana, by brothers Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine, with younger brothers Marlon and Michael joining soon after. According to some sources, The Jackson 5 has sold more than 100 million records worldwide. In 1980 the brothers were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as the Jacksons. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Two of the band’s recordings (“ABC” and “I Want You Back”) are among the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll and, alongside “I’ll Be There”, were also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Here are all of Jackson 5 songs ranked.
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20. State of Shock (Victory, 1984)
“Classic Jacksons. The breakdown into Michael’s adlib is well worth it. Still sends chills through me. Awesome song! Definitely one of my all time favourites. A must listen.”
19. Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Jackson 5 Christmas Album, 1970)
“The only Christmas album by a pop group that is worth a damn (though I like a number of cuts from Snowed In too) – and that’s because these are songs being performed by extremely talented kids, sung by the greatest child voice of the past 50 years. It feels genuine coming from young people who probably have their heart in it, unlike overrated adult artists who cheese it up with sickeningly sentimental syrup.”
18. One Day In Your Life (Forever, Michael, 1975)
“What a great ballad by the old (actually young) Michael Jackson. Before he began all the dance music and satire, he recorded some of the best songs ever written as a youth. This is truly unique and pure Michael Jackson.”
17. Medley (Immortal, 2011)
“I have always liked this song and this version. I have no negative comments on this. Overall, good song to me. Jackson 5 is timeless”
See more: Jackson 5 Albums Ranked
16. Show You the Way to Go (The Jacksons, 1976)
“Heard this song for the first time on a greatest hits radio show….I’m a big Jacksons fan and for whatever reason never heard this one…still can’t believe that wonderful talent [Michael] is gone….but his music lives on and continues to touch us all…it’s simply so moving a piece….I never get tired of it…..”
15. Lookin’ Through the Windows (Lookin’ Through the Windows, 1972)
“This was the J5’s release at the time and a cracker it is too. A busy but not over-cluttered production featuring a vibrant vocal from young Michael and well-placed support from his brothers, it deservedly made the top 10, even if the Os-bros single at the same time charted higher.”
14. Enjoy Yourself (The Jacksons, 1976)
“I love this song! One of the rarer Jackson classics, but by far one of the best in my opinion, I will always love the Jacksons!
13. This Place Hotel (Triumph, 1980)
“This is a great dance by the Jacksons, just one in a long list of great songs by this gifted musical family 🙂 I like Michael Jackson either solo or with his brothers & sisters, so I can’t complain 🙂 A great song by a talented family.”
12. Rockin’ Robin (Got to Be There, 1972)
“Reminiscent of the ’70’s. If you remember what bell bottoms, tie-died shirts, Candies (not the treats!) and pre-surgery Michael Jackson are, this song will bring those back.”
11. Ben (Ben, 1972)
“If you love Michael, you have got to really appreciate him in his younger years, when he sang so purely. The way he sings is so touching and moving for such a young man. You could tell from the minute he went public, that he was destined to become someone that touched people’s souls with his music, not just another flame that quickly dies out! I will always love this song because it makes me feel so moved.”
10. Dancing Machine (G.I.T.: Get It Together, 1973)
“The J5 (or, perhaps more correctly, their producers) get a good proto-disco groove going, but then don’t really do enough with it. It putts along nicely, and the brothers sort of half-scat the fun lyrics along with it, but the record sort of begs for a chorus or counter-groove or something. It’s just shy of three minutes but feels longer.”
9. Never Can Say Goodbye (Maybe Tomorrow, 1971)
“Its all about the voice! How does this kid, aged 12 even know what he’s singing about? I believe he does! Here he was a grown up in a child’s body – converse to later in his life as a child in an adult’s body.”
8. The Love You Save (ABC, 1970)
“In a sense, I should get angrier at “The Love You Save,” as it’s by far the most condescending song that’s ever come from the Jackson 5. It’s essentially a giant put down of any woman who wants to have multiple lovers in her lifetime… as if a boy band from the 70s would ever criticize a man who did the exact same thing. That said, this is one of those times when dissonance between the music and the lyrics works in the song’s favor. No one who actually sings along with “The Love You Save” genuinely takes it seriously. At the end of the day, it’s just a sing-along Motown ditty that doesn’t benefit from lyrical analysis.”
7. Can You Feel It (Triumph, 1980)
“Such a powerful social statement that still presents and preserves its strength even after more than 20 years have elapsed. I think most of us bubble up with excitement that simmers below our surface in anticipation of Michael getting on the mic with the aforementioned lyrics and Tito’s guitar accompanying the rise in tempo with Michael’s appearance. It still sounds just as great now as it did upon its release.”
See more: Michael Jackson Albums Ranked
6. Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground) (Destiny, 1978)
“One of my favorite songs from The Jacksons Destiny album. A couple of years after parting ways with Berry Gordy and Motown, The Jackson 5 changed their name and signed with Epic Records. I’m sure Epic Execs were thrilled!”
5. Who’s Loving You (Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5, 1969)
“Michael Jackson was 10 years old when he sang this song. So young!! His voice is soulful & has so much feeling. Truly he was a phenomenal singer!
4. I’ll Be There (Third Album, 1970)
“The Jackson 5 change up their sound and make a ballad, and it is a classic one at that. The perfect harmonies and great lead vocals of Mike make this a keeper.”
3. Blame It on the Boogie (Destiny, 1978)
“Talk about upbeat, dancing, and if you search video on youtube, you’ll see the J5 dancing to it. If you need to forget about your troubles and a lift, this is a great song.”
2. ABC (ABC, 1970)
“The Album ABC, released in 1970, was The Jackson 5’s second studio album release. Of course, there is at least one very big reason to listen to this album, and that is to listen to Michael Jackson as a child. Also, it’s quite remarkable to consider that this is still one of The Jackson 5’s most successful albums selling over 5 Million copies worldwide!”
1. I Want You Back (Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5, 1969)
“Motown had an amazing amount of kick-ass singles, perhaps more than any other label. All of the magic comes together here. Michael, despite his unfortunate tragic collapse, always had a way of taking a good song and making it even better. Every aspect of this song gives me goose-bumps.”